Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
Honorary Professor

Zhiguo Yuan

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Background

Prof Yuan received his PhD degree in aeronautical engineering in 1992 from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China. He changed research direction to wastewater management in 1994, when he took up a postdoctoral research fellow position at Ghent University, Belgium. He joined the Advanced Water Management Centre (AWMC), renamed as the Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology in July 2021, at The University of Queensland in 1998. He served as the AWMC Deputy Director 2001-2014, and then the AWMC/ACWEB Director in 2015 to July 2022. His research focuses on development of innovative solutions for urban water management and environmental biotechnology through effective integration of fundamental science and applied engineering. He won over $50M in government, industry and university research funding including many ARC Discovery, Linkage and Fellowship grants, mostly as the lead Chief Investigator. Prof Yuan was one of the founding members of the $117m Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities. He has published intensively both in specialised journals such as Water Research and Environmental Science and Technology, and multidisciplinary journals including Nature and Science. He is the founder of three biotechnology businesses namely SeweX, Cloevis and Lodomat, and his research has delivered documented savings of hundreds of millions of dollars to the Australian water industry. His research achievements and leadership have been recognized through major national and international awards including the 2015 ATSE Clunies Ross Award and the International Water Association (IWA) 2014 Global Project Innovation Award (Applied Research Category). Prof Yuan was named as one of Engineers Australia’s Top 100 Most Influential Engineers for 2015. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE), an IWA Distinguished Fellow, and was awarded the highly prestigious ARC Australian Laureate Fellowship in 2017. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in January 2019.

Availability

Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan is:
Not available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Environmental biotechnology Environmental engineering

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Engineering, Beijing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Beijing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics

Research interests

  • Integrated Urban Water Management

    A whole-of-system approach to managing multiple water resources in an urban water cycle and multiple elements in an urban water system.

  • Digital water

    Descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive data analytics for proactive urban water management

  • Sustainable carbon bioeconomy

    Gas fermentation to convert organic wastes to carbon commodities

  • Corrosion and odour management in sewers systems

    Effective control of H2S production in sewer systems and minimise its effect on sewer corrosion and odour generation

  • Sludge management in wastewater treatment systems

    Innovative technologies for enhancing bioenergy recovery from wastewater and reducing sludge production

  • Greenhouse gas emissions from water and wastewater systems

    Fugitive greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater systems including CH4 emission in sewers, N2O emission from wastewater treatment processes and CH4 and N2O emissions from estuaries, dams and bays

  • Biological nutrient removal and recovery

    Innovative technologies and fundamental science for biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal and recovery from wastewater

Research impacts

  • His research in sewer management has fundamentally changed practice of many Australian water utilities in corrosion and odour management in sewers. The documented savings to date for the water industry amounts to approximately $400 million, based on the testimonial letters provided by industry partners.
  • He has collaborated with almost all major water utilities in Australia through many ARC Industry Linkage projects as well as a large number of collaborative research projects.
  • He was a founding and Executive Committee member of the $117 million Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cites, with over 80 industry partners, and led the Future Technologies Program Leader.
  • Established SeweX, a consulting company under UniQuest Pty Ltd, in 2008. SeweX has undertaken over $3 million consulting work since 2009. Clients included both Australian water utilities and companies from overseas. SeweX has been recently licensed to Envirosuite, an ASX listed technology company.
  • Established Cloevis Pty Ltd, a spin-off company from my sewer research. The company has licenced its patented technology on biofilm removal from sewer pipes to USP Technologies (US).
  • His research on sludge treatment using free nitrous acid has led to the development of the patented Lodomat technology that substantially increases biogas production from wastewater sludge. The technology has recently attracted >$5M (+ >$4M in-kind) industry and government funding for pilot plant demonstrations.
  • His research has frequently attracted media attention, with many articles published in newspapers such as The Australian and The Courier Mail, the News Agency Websites (e.g. ABC, Xinhua Agency), and industry magazines, newsletters and websites. Five of his papers have Altmetric Attention Scores that are in the top 5% of the 6.4 million research outputs tracked.
  • He is an Editor of Water Research, a top journal in water science and technology.
  • He published over 500 papers in internationally leading journals (the full list and citation record: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=1IPdGqkAAAAJ&hl=en)

Search Professor Zhiguo Yuan’s works on UQ eSpace

805 works between 1992 and 2025
All (805) Journal Article (623) Book Chapter (9) Conference Publication (169) Book (1) Other Outputs (3)

301 - 320 of 805 works

2017

Journal Article

Biological Bromate Reduction Driven by Methane in a Membrane Biofilm Reactor

Luo, Jing-Huan, Wu, Mengxiong, Yuan, Zhiguo and Guo, Jianhua (2017). Biological Bromate Reduction Driven by Methane in a Membrane Biofilm Reactor. Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 4 (12), 562-566. doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.7b00488

Biological Bromate Reduction Driven by Methane in a Membrane Biofilm Reactor

2017

Journal Article

Simultaneous use of caustic and oxygen for efficient sulfide control in sewers

Lin, Hui-Wen, Lu, Yang, Ganigue, Ramon, Sharma, Keshab R., Rabaey, Korneel, Yuan, Zhiguo and Pikaar, Ilje (2017). Simultaneous use of caustic and oxygen for efficient sulfide control in sewers. Science of the Total Environment, 601-602, 776-783. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.225

Simultaneous use of caustic and oxygen for efficient sulfide control in sewers

2017

Journal Article

Modelling the long-term effect of wastewater compositions on maximum sulfide and methane production rates of sewer biofilm

Sun, Jing, Ni, Bing-Jie, Sharma, Keshab Raj, Wang, Qilin, Hu, Shihu and Yuan, Zhiguo (2017). Modelling the long-term effect of wastewater compositions on maximum sulfide and methane production rates of sewer biofilm. Water research, 129, 58-65. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.11.007

Modelling the long-term effect of wastewater compositions on maximum sulfide and methane production rates of sewer biofilm

2017

Journal Article

Data on metagenomic profiles of activated sludge from a full-scale wastewater treatment plant

Guo, Jianhua, Ni, Bing-Jie, Han, Xiaoyu, Chen, Xueming, Bond, Philip, Peng, Yongzhen and Yuan, Zhiguo (2017). Data on metagenomic profiles of activated sludge from a full-scale wastewater treatment plant. Data in Brief, 15, 833-839. doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2017.10.048

Data on metagenomic profiles of activated sludge from a full-scale wastewater treatment plant

2017

Journal Article

Selective Removal of Al(III) from Rare Earth Solutions Using Peas-based Activated Carbon

An, Fu-Qiang, Wu, Rui-Yan, Li, Min, Yuan, Zhi-Guo, Hu, Tuo-Ping and Gao, Jian-Feng (2017). Selective Removal of Al(III) from Rare Earth Solutions Using Peas-based Activated Carbon. Journal of the Korean Chemical Society-Daehan Hwahak Hoe Jee, 61 (5), 231-237. doi: 10.5012/jkcs.2017.61.5.231

Selective Removal of Al(III) from Rare Earth Solutions Using Peas-based Activated Carbon

2017

Journal Article

Metagenomic analysis reveals wastewater treatment plants as hotspots of antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements

Guo, Jianhua, Li, Jie, Chen, Hui, Bond, Philip L. and Yuan, Zhiguo (2017). Metagenomic analysis reveals wastewater treatment plants as hotspots of antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements. Water Research, 123, 468-478. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.07.002

Metagenomic analysis reveals wastewater treatment plants as hotspots of antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements

2017

Journal Article

Electrochemical Production of Magnetite Nanoparticles for Sulfide Control in Sewers

Lin, Hui-Wen, Couvreur, Kenny, Donose, Bogdan C, Rabaey, Korneel, Yuan, Zhiguo and Pikaar, Ilje (2017). Electrochemical Production of Magnetite Nanoparticles for Sulfide Control in Sewers. Environmental science & technology, 51 (21), 12229-12234. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.7b01748

Electrochemical Production of Magnetite Nanoparticles for Sulfide Control in Sewers

2017

Journal Article

Nitrite production from urine for sulfide control in sewers

Zheng, Min, Zuo, Zhiqiang, Zhang, Yizhen, Cui, Yujia, Dong, Qian, Liu, Yanchen, Huang, Xia and Yuan, Zhiguo (2017). Nitrite production from urine for sulfide control in sewers. Water Research, 122, 447-454. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.05.048

Nitrite production from urine for sulfide control in sewers

2017

Journal Article

Quantifying nitrous oxide production pathways in wastewater treatment systems using isotope technology – a critical review

Duan, Haoran, Ye, Liu, Erler, Dirk, Ni, Bing-Jie and Yuan, Zhiguo (2017). Quantifying nitrous oxide production pathways in wastewater treatment systems using isotope technology – a critical review. Water Research, 122, 96-113. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.05.054

Quantifying nitrous oxide production pathways in wastewater treatment systems using isotope technology – a critical review

2017

Journal Article

Expert opinion on risks to the long-term viability of residential recycled water schemes: an Australian study

West, Camilla, Kenway, Steven, Hassall, Maureen and Yuan, Zhiguo (2017). Expert opinion on risks to the long-term viability of residential recycled water schemes: an Australian study. Water Research, 120, 133-145. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.04.077

Expert opinion on risks to the long-term viability of residential recycled water schemes: an Australian study

2017

Journal Article

Aerobic condition enhances bacteriostatic effects of silver nanoparticles in aquatic environment: an antimicrobial study on Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Chen, Zhaoyu, Yang, Ping, Yuan, Zhiguo and Guo, Jianhua (2017). Aerobic condition enhances bacteriostatic effects of silver nanoparticles in aquatic environment: an antimicrobial study on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Scientific Reports, 7 (1) 7398, 7398. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-07989-w

Aerobic condition enhances bacteriostatic effects of silver nanoparticles in aquatic environment: an antimicrobial study on Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2017

Journal Article

Impact of ammonium availability on atenolol biotransformation during nitrification

Xu, Yifeng, Yuan, Zhiguo and Ni, Bing-Jie (2017). Impact of ammonium availability on atenolol biotransformation during nitrification. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 5 (8), 7137-7144. doi: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.7b01319

Impact of ammonium availability on atenolol biotransformation during nitrification

2017

Journal Article

Achieving Stable Mainstream Nitrogen Removal via the Nitrite Pathway by Sludge Treatment Using Free Ammonia

Wang, Qilin, Duan, Haoran, Wei, Wei, Ni, Bing-Jie, Laloo, Andrew and Yuan, Zhiguo (2017). Achieving Stable Mainstream Nitrogen Removal via the Nitrite Pathway by Sludge Treatment Using Free Ammonia. Environmental Science and Technology, 51 (17), 9800-9807. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.7b02776

Achieving Stable Mainstream Nitrogen Removal via the Nitrite Pathway by Sludge Treatment Using Free Ammonia

2017

Journal Article

Achieving mainstream nitrogen removal through coupling anammox with denitratation

Ma, Bin, Qian, Wenting, Yuan, Chuansheng, Yuan, Zhiguo and Peng, Yongzhen (2017). Achieving mainstream nitrogen removal through coupling anammox with denitratation. Environmental Science & Technology, 51 (15), 8405-8413. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.7b01866

Achieving mainstream nitrogen removal through coupling anammox with denitratation

2017

Journal Article

Enhancing sludge biodegradability through free nitrous acid pre-treatment at low exposure time

Zahedi, S., Icaran, P., Yuan, Z. and Pijuan, M. (2017). Enhancing sludge biodegradability through free nitrous acid pre-treatment at low exposure time. Chemical Engineering Journal, 321, 139-145. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2017.03.120

Enhancing sludge biodegradability through free nitrous acid pre-treatment at low exposure time

2017

Journal Article

Electrochemical oxidation of iron and alkalinity generation for efficient sulfide control in sewers

Lin, Hui-Wen, Kustermans, Caroline, Vaiopoulou, Eleni, Prevoteau, Antonin, Rabaey, Korneel, Yuan, Zhiguo and Pikaar, Ilje (2017). Electrochemical oxidation of iron and alkalinity generation for efficient sulfide control in sewers. Water Research, 118, 114-120. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.02.069

Electrochemical oxidation of iron and alkalinity generation for efficient sulfide control in sewers

2017

Journal Article

Unraveling microbial structure and diversity of activated sludge in a full-scale simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal plant using metagenomic sequencing

Guo, Jianhua, Ni, Bing-Jie, Han, Xiaoyu, Chen, Xueming, Bond, Philip, Peng, Yongzhen and Yuan, Zhiguo (2017). Unraveling microbial structure and diversity of activated sludge in a full-scale simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal plant using metagenomic sequencing. Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 102, 16-25. doi: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2017.03.009

Unraveling microbial structure and diversity of activated sludge in a full-scale simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal plant using metagenomic sequencing

2017

Journal Article

Exploring alternatives to reduce economical costs associated with FNA pre-treatment of waste activated sludge

Zahedi, S., Icaran, P., Yuan, Z. and Pijuan, M. (2017). Exploring alternatives to reduce economical costs associated with FNA pre-treatment of waste activated sludge. Bioresource Technology, 243, 315-318. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.06.140

Exploring alternatives to reduce economical costs associated with FNA pre-treatment of waste activated sludge

2017

Journal Article

Copper oxide nanoparticles induce lysogenic bacteriophage and metal-resistance genes in pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

Guo, Jianhua, Gao, Shu-Hong, Lu, Ji, Bond, Philip L, Verstraete, Willy and Yuan, Zhiguo (2017). Copper oxide nanoparticles induce lysogenic bacteriophage and metal-resistance genes in pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 9 (27), 22298-22307. doi: 10.1021/acsami.7b06433

Copper oxide nanoparticles induce lysogenic bacteriophage and metal-resistance genes in pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

2017

Journal Article

Tidal variability in methane and nitrous oxide emissions along a subtropical estuarine gradient

Sturm, Katrin, Werner, Ursula, Grinham, Alistair and Yuan, Zhiguo (2017). Tidal variability in methane and nitrous oxide emissions along a subtropical estuarine gradient. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, 192, 159-169. doi: 10.1016/j.ecss.2017.04.027

Tidal variability in methane and nitrous oxide emissions along a subtropical estuarine gradient

Availability

Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Data quality assurance in digitalisation of urban water management

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Helen Huang, Dr Jiuling Li, Dr Ruihong Qiu

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Airflow and temperature modelling for sewers

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jiuling Li

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding of Ventilation-Based Drying for Sewer Corrosion Control

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jiuling Li, Dr Zhetai Hu

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Understanding of Condensation-induced Concrete Corrsoion in the Sewer Crown Region

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Damien Batstone, Dr Jiuling Li

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Integrated use of magnesium and iron chemicals in urban wastewater systems

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Zhetai Hu

  • Doctor Philosophy

    In-depth understanding of bioprocess and microbial community in a novel methane-based membrane biofilm reactor

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Jianhua Guo

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Extracellular Electron Transfer-Facilitated Microbial Conversion of Methanol by Eubacterium limosum

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Xueqin Zhang, Dr Bernardino Virdis

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan directly for media enquiries about:

  • Corrosion - sewers
  • Odour - sewers
  • Sewers
  • Wastewater management
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Water treatment

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